AHN 447 Final Exam: Endocrine, End of life, and Comprehensive Content
Questions With Correct Answers 2026
1. stages of dying: shock and denial, pain and guilt, anger and bargaining, depression, reconstruction and working
through, acceptance and hope
2. s&s of dying: extremity coolness, increased sleeping, decreased fluid and flood intake, incontinence, conges- tion and
gurgling, breath pattern changes, disorientation, restlessness
3. define advanced directive: a document that spells out the choices for end-of-life care before you need it
4. define living will: specifies which type of treatments the patient will or will not accept (ex: dialysis, intubation, tube
feedings)
5. define power of attorney: legal document that designates another person to make medical decisions for the patient
6. goals of end-of-life treatment: manage pain/breathlessness or dyspnea/weakness/N&V, meet psy- chosocial
needs, assist patients with grieving process
7. define hospice care: symptom management for life-limiting illnesses (terminal illnesses), where the patient typically has
less than 6 mos to live
8. define palliative care: an approach to improve the quality of life of patients and their families when facing a problem
associated with life threatening illness (ex: child has cancer and is getting chemotherapy, while receiving palliative care to manage
pain)
9. define pheochromocytoma: tumor on the adrenal gland that leads to severe HTN
10. s&s of pheochromocytoma: severely elevated BP, heat intolerance
11. nursing care for a patient with pheochromocytoma: do not palpate the abdomen
12. define hypothyroidism: inadequate production of T3 and T4
13. s&s of hypothyroidism: decreased metabolic rate, cold intolerance, cool skin with thick brittle nails,
apathy/depression, non-pitting edema, goiter
14. treatment for hypothyroidism: levothyroxine (take before meals)
15. complications of hypothyroidism: myxedema coma
16. define myxedema coma: severe life-threatening hypothyroidism due to untreated hypothyroidism or abruptly d/c
thyroid medication
17. s&s of myxedema coma: hypoxia, decreased CO, decreased LOC, hypothermia
18. nursing care for a patient with myxedema coma: maintain patent airway, monitor cardiac rhythms,
administer large doses of levothyroxine
19. define hyperthyroidism: excess secretion of T3 and T4; hypermetabolic state
, AHN 447 Final Exam: Endocrine, End of life, and Comprehensive Content
Questions With Correct Answers 2026
20. s&s of hyperthyroidism: increased RR and SOB, palpitations, increased appetite, heat intolerance, smooth warm
skin, exophthalmos, goiter
21. treatment for hyperthyroidism: methimazole, steroids, beta blockers; radioactive iodine treatment, thyroidectomy
22. nursing care for a patient with hyperthyroidism: increase caloric and protein intake, tape eyelids closed
for sleep with eye lubricant
23. complications of hyperthyroidism: thyroid storm
24. define thyroid storm: due to uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
25. s&s of thyroid storm: elevated temperature and tachycardia
26. define addison's disease: known as adrenal insuflciency; injury or infection to the adrenal gland that causes partial or
total destruction of the gland due to lack of aldosterone and cortisol; autoimmune disorder
27. s&s of addison's disease: anorexia, hyperpigmentation
28. assessments for addison's disease: ACTH stimulation test
29. treatment for addison's disease: hydrocortisone, cortisone, prednisone, fludrocortisone; kayexalate (decreases
K+), insulin and glucose, calcium gluconate
30. define addisonian crisis: life threatening disorder caused by adrenal insuflciency due to a stressful event (ex:
surgery, trauma, infection, abrupt d/c of corticosteroids)
31. s&s of addisonian crisis: severe hypotension, dysrhythmias
32. treatment for addisonian crisis: NS or D5NS rapid IV infusion, hydrocortisone IV bolus/IV; treat
underlying cause
33. define cushing's disease: overproduction of cortisol in the body caused by benign pituitary gland tumor
34. s&s of cushing's disease: fat redistribution to back/face/trunk (moon face), elevated BP, dependent edema, bruising,
osteoporosis, thin skin, striae
35. treatment for cushing's disease: ketoconazole, levoketoconazole, cyproheptadine, mifepristone, pasireotide;
adrenalectomy, pituitary/tumor removal
36. define hyperaldosteronism (conn's syndrome): excessive secretion of aldosterone from one or both
adrenal glands
37. s&s of hyperaldosteronism (conn's syndrome): metabolic acidosis, polyuria/polydipsia, paresthesia
38. treatment for hyperaldosteronism (conn's syndrome): spironolactone; adrenalectomy
39. define hypopituitarism: deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones
, AHN 447 Final Exam: Endocrine, End of life, and Comprehensive Content
Questions With Correct Answers 2026
40. gonadotropin hormones affected by hypopituitarism specific to males: reduced muscle
mass, impotence
41. gonadotropin hormones affected by hypopituitarism specific to females: -
amenorrhea, anovulation, low estrogen levels, breast atrophy
42. TSH affected by hypopituitarism: decreased T3 and T4, alopecia, weight gain, intolerance to cold, menstrual
abnormalities
43. ACTH affected by hypopituitarism: malaise/lethargy, postural hypotension, decreased BGL, de- creased
axillary and pubic hair
44. define hypophysectomy: treatment for hyperpituitarism
45. pre-op care for hypophysectomy: monitor for CSF leakage
46. post-op care for hypophysectomy: avoid coughing, sneezing, blowing nose; lifelong hormone therapy
needed for rest of life
47. define diabetes insipidus: caused by decreased ADH or decrease in the kidneys ability to respond to ADH
48. define neurogenic diabetes insipidus: injury or tumor in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland causing
insuflcient ADH to be released
49. define nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: problem in the kidneys causing poor responses to ADH signal
(could be due to kidney infection or nephrotoxic medications)
50. s&s of diabetes insipidus: large amounts of dilute urine, weak pulses, hemoconcentration, poor skin turgor, dry
mucous membranes
51. treatment for diabetes insipidus: desmopressin, vasopressin; fluid replacement
52. define SIADH: overexcretion of ADH
53. s&s of SIADH: hemodilution, bounding pulses, hypothermia
54. treatment for SIADH: diuretics, vasopressin antagonists, hypertonic saline
55. nursing care for SIADH: fluid restrictions (500-1000mL/day), frequent neuro checks
56. define hypoparathyroidism: decreased or insuflcient secretion of PTH which causes calcium levels to go
down
57. s&s of hypoparathyroidism: hypocalcemia, positive trousseau and Chvostek signs, tetany, seizures
58. treatment for hypoparathyroidism: calcium gluconate, vitamin D supplements, phosphate binders
59. nursing care for hypoparathyroidism: implement seizure precautions, high calcium low phos- phorus
diet
Questions With Correct Answers 2026
1. stages of dying: shock and denial, pain and guilt, anger and bargaining, depression, reconstruction and working
through, acceptance and hope
2. s&s of dying: extremity coolness, increased sleeping, decreased fluid and flood intake, incontinence, conges- tion and
gurgling, breath pattern changes, disorientation, restlessness
3. define advanced directive: a document that spells out the choices for end-of-life care before you need it
4. define living will: specifies which type of treatments the patient will or will not accept (ex: dialysis, intubation, tube
feedings)
5. define power of attorney: legal document that designates another person to make medical decisions for the patient
6. goals of end-of-life treatment: manage pain/breathlessness or dyspnea/weakness/N&V, meet psy- chosocial
needs, assist patients with grieving process
7. define hospice care: symptom management for life-limiting illnesses (terminal illnesses), where the patient typically has
less than 6 mos to live
8. define palliative care: an approach to improve the quality of life of patients and their families when facing a problem
associated with life threatening illness (ex: child has cancer and is getting chemotherapy, while receiving palliative care to manage
pain)
9. define pheochromocytoma: tumor on the adrenal gland that leads to severe HTN
10. s&s of pheochromocytoma: severely elevated BP, heat intolerance
11. nursing care for a patient with pheochromocytoma: do not palpate the abdomen
12. define hypothyroidism: inadequate production of T3 and T4
13. s&s of hypothyroidism: decreased metabolic rate, cold intolerance, cool skin with thick brittle nails,
apathy/depression, non-pitting edema, goiter
14. treatment for hypothyroidism: levothyroxine (take before meals)
15. complications of hypothyroidism: myxedema coma
16. define myxedema coma: severe life-threatening hypothyroidism due to untreated hypothyroidism or abruptly d/c
thyroid medication
17. s&s of myxedema coma: hypoxia, decreased CO, decreased LOC, hypothermia
18. nursing care for a patient with myxedema coma: maintain patent airway, monitor cardiac rhythms,
administer large doses of levothyroxine
19. define hyperthyroidism: excess secretion of T3 and T4; hypermetabolic state
, AHN 447 Final Exam: Endocrine, End of life, and Comprehensive Content
Questions With Correct Answers 2026
20. s&s of hyperthyroidism: increased RR and SOB, palpitations, increased appetite, heat intolerance, smooth warm
skin, exophthalmos, goiter
21. treatment for hyperthyroidism: methimazole, steroids, beta blockers; radioactive iodine treatment, thyroidectomy
22. nursing care for a patient with hyperthyroidism: increase caloric and protein intake, tape eyelids closed
for sleep with eye lubricant
23. complications of hyperthyroidism: thyroid storm
24. define thyroid storm: due to uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
25. s&s of thyroid storm: elevated temperature and tachycardia
26. define addison's disease: known as adrenal insuflciency; injury or infection to the adrenal gland that causes partial or
total destruction of the gland due to lack of aldosterone and cortisol; autoimmune disorder
27. s&s of addison's disease: anorexia, hyperpigmentation
28. assessments for addison's disease: ACTH stimulation test
29. treatment for addison's disease: hydrocortisone, cortisone, prednisone, fludrocortisone; kayexalate (decreases
K+), insulin and glucose, calcium gluconate
30. define addisonian crisis: life threatening disorder caused by adrenal insuflciency due to a stressful event (ex:
surgery, trauma, infection, abrupt d/c of corticosteroids)
31. s&s of addisonian crisis: severe hypotension, dysrhythmias
32. treatment for addisonian crisis: NS or D5NS rapid IV infusion, hydrocortisone IV bolus/IV; treat
underlying cause
33. define cushing's disease: overproduction of cortisol in the body caused by benign pituitary gland tumor
34. s&s of cushing's disease: fat redistribution to back/face/trunk (moon face), elevated BP, dependent edema, bruising,
osteoporosis, thin skin, striae
35. treatment for cushing's disease: ketoconazole, levoketoconazole, cyproheptadine, mifepristone, pasireotide;
adrenalectomy, pituitary/tumor removal
36. define hyperaldosteronism (conn's syndrome): excessive secretion of aldosterone from one or both
adrenal glands
37. s&s of hyperaldosteronism (conn's syndrome): metabolic acidosis, polyuria/polydipsia, paresthesia
38. treatment for hyperaldosteronism (conn's syndrome): spironolactone; adrenalectomy
39. define hypopituitarism: deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones
, AHN 447 Final Exam: Endocrine, End of life, and Comprehensive Content
Questions With Correct Answers 2026
40. gonadotropin hormones affected by hypopituitarism specific to males: reduced muscle
mass, impotence
41. gonadotropin hormones affected by hypopituitarism specific to females: -
amenorrhea, anovulation, low estrogen levels, breast atrophy
42. TSH affected by hypopituitarism: decreased T3 and T4, alopecia, weight gain, intolerance to cold, menstrual
abnormalities
43. ACTH affected by hypopituitarism: malaise/lethargy, postural hypotension, decreased BGL, de- creased
axillary and pubic hair
44. define hypophysectomy: treatment for hyperpituitarism
45. pre-op care for hypophysectomy: monitor for CSF leakage
46. post-op care for hypophysectomy: avoid coughing, sneezing, blowing nose; lifelong hormone therapy
needed for rest of life
47. define diabetes insipidus: caused by decreased ADH or decrease in the kidneys ability to respond to ADH
48. define neurogenic diabetes insipidus: injury or tumor in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland causing
insuflcient ADH to be released
49. define nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: problem in the kidneys causing poor responses to ADH signal
(could be due to kidney infection or nephrotoxic medications)
50. s&s of diabetes insipidus: large amounts of dilute urine, weak pulses, hemoconcentration, poor skin turgor, dry
mucous membranes
51. treatment for diabetes insipidus: desmopressin, vasopressin; fluid replacement
52. define SIADH: overexcretion of ADH
53. s&s of SIADH: hemodilution, bounding pulses, hypothermia
54. treatment for SIADH: diuretics, vasopressin antagonists, hypertonic saline
55. nursing care for SIADH: fluid restrictions (500-1000mL/day), frequent neuro checks
56. define hypoparathyroidism: decreased or insuflcient secretion of PTH which causes calcium levels to go
down
57. s&s of hypoparathyroidism: hypocalcemia, positive trousseau and Chvostek signs, tetany, seizures
58. treatment for hypoparathyroidism: calcium gluconate, vitamin D supplements, phosphate binders
59. nursing care for hypoparathyroidism: implement seizure precautions, high calcium low phos- phorus
diet
